2024 elections: ‘I’ll make public sector work for the people if elected’ — Mahama

John Dramani Mahama, former President and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, has pledged to revitalize Ghana’s public sector and make it more accountable and responsive to citizens if he wins the 2024 presidential election.

Speaking at a governance forum, Mahama outlined his vision to create an efficient and ethical public sector that genuinely serves the people.

Mahama emphasized that the public sector should embody professionalism and ethical leadership to restore public confidence and trust.

“We must make the public sector work for the people by being responsive to their needs and demonstrating humility and sacrifice,” he stated.

The opposition leader noted that the current sector’s inefficiencies and unresponsiveness have contributed to public dissatisfaction and declining faith in state institutions.

Addressing the need for ethical governance, Mahama committed to reviewing and enforcing codes of conduct for public officeholders to promote higher standards of accountability.

“My administration will review the codes of conduct for public officeholders to promote ethical leadership, professionalism, and efficiency,” he announced.

Mahama also discussed his plans for legislative reforms to curb corruption and improve transparency, including the Internal Audit Agencies Bill.

“We will pass and implement the revised Internal Audit Agencies Bill to address malfeasance in public agencies,” he declared.

In a further move to enhance transparency, Mahama committed to strengthening independent bodies tasked with oversight of the public sector.

“I believe independent constitutional bodies must be strengthened rather than weakened,” he said, referring to institutions like the National Media Commission, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

By empowering these institutions, Mahama believes that the public sector can be held to a higher standard of accountability.

Mahama’s reforms also include measures to motivate public sector workers and ensure they are properly equipped to serve the nation.

This, he argued, would foster a culture of professionalism and responsiveness that the Ghanaian public deserves.

“We need a public sector that not only serves the people but does so with the highest standards of integrity and commitment,” he stressed.